The June 2008 issue of Time Magazine takes an in-depth look at childhood obesity in America. The cover story is entitled, “How America’s Children Packed On the Pounds.”
Some key points in the article:
In 1971 only 4% of 6-to-11-year-old kids were obese; by 2004, the figure had leaped to 18.8%. In the same period, the number rose from 6.1% to 17.4% in the 12-to-19-year-old group, and from 5% to 13.9% among kids ages just 2 to 5. And as with adults, that’s just obesity. Include all overweight kids, and a whopping 32% of all American children now carry more pounds than they should.
Obese boys and girls are already starting to develop the illnesses of excess associated with people in their 40s and beyond: heart disease, liver disease, diabetes, gallstones, joint breakdown and even brain damage as fluid accumulation inside the skull leads to headaches, vision problems and possibly lower IQs. A staggering 90% of overweight kids already have at least one avoidable risk factor for heart disease, such as high cholesterol or hypertension. Type 2 diabetes is now being diagnosed in teens as young as 15. Health experts warn that the current generation of children may be the first in American history to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents’.
Not only are adults and kids alike consuming far more calories than they can possibly use, but they’re also doing less and less with them. The transformation of American homes into high-def, Web-enabled, TiVo-equipped entertainment centers means that children who come home after a largely sedentary day at a school desk spend an average of three more sedentary hours in front of some kind of screen. Schools have contributed, with shrinking budgets causing more and more of them to slash physical-education programs. In 1991, only 42% of high school students participated in daily phys ed — already a troublingly low figure. Today that number is 25% or less.
You can check out the entire article here: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1813700,00.html
Definitely, some disturbing news being reported by Time magazine. As Martial Arts educators, we see Martial Arts as a crucial weapon in the fight against childhood obesity. Children that are involved in regular Martial Arts training enjoy better health and fitness through their training, as well as improved confidence in themselves and their abilities. As a result, they are much less likely to suffer from obesity and the subsequent bullying that often accompanies being an overweight child.
Whether you choose to make Martial Arts a part of your child’s life is up to you. We feel strongly that no matter what you choose for your child, keeping them physically active and watching their diet is critical for their well being and overall quality of life.
Wishing you and your family every success,
Rich Brugger
Teaching Martial Arts & Lifeskills to families in New Providence NJ, Berkeley Heights NJ, Summit NJ, Chatham NJ, Murray Hill NJ, and all surrounding areas.
Visit our website at http://www.BeginKarate.com
Posted by karateworld 
Posted by karateworld 